Gina JacobsNov 25, 2022
Jonathan Rowe

Any moment now, as Christmas and (American) Thanksgiving get closer, people will start posting suggestions of things to donate to food banks and 'Reverse Advent Calendars'.

I can't stress this enough:
Just. Give. Money.

Food banks can usually get more bang for their buck than you can.
They'll probably be able to give you a tax receipt for money, but not for cans.
And it lets them buy, store, and distribute food in the volumes they need and can handle.

(Please boost to make sure people get the message.)

#FoodBanks #FoodInsecurity #Christmas #Thanksgiving #Charity #JustGiveMoney

Nov 14, 2022 at 7:40pmWeb
Show threadThe Raft FoundationNov 15, 2022
@jondrowe We're happy with both, whichever works for the person #giving
#ThankYou for tooting 😘
Show threadJonathan RoweNov 16, 2022
@TheRaftFoundationFoodbank I hear that. ❤️
There's definitely value in the physical act of donating food—but one of the most important things we can do is ask 'What do you need? How can I help?'
And then honouring that request, whether it's stuff or cash.
Show threadSusan MacDonaldNov 26, 2022
@jondrowe @TheRaftFoundationFoodbank I read recently that food banks specifically in Scotland can get better deals therefore quantity if they have money rather than a luxury mince pudding that goes to one person.
Show threadThe Raft FoundationNov 26, 2022
@SMMac @jondrowe
Yes, it all depends. Some supermarkets have a limit of 3 of any one item, especially for the own brand ranges, which doesn't really work for us trying to buy multiples of any thing.
We are exploring a number of different buying routes. Plus buying stuff takes up a volunteer's time which is often in short supply, too.
Not everyone is comfortable giving cash, either, for lots of different reasons.
We're happy to accept whatever works for the donors.
It's always a balancing act.
Show threadThat One WeirdoNov 15, 2022
@jondrowe I volunteer like an almost full-time job at my local Food Pantry, and I absolutely agree with you. I recently shared this advice with my community...
Show threadJonathan RoweNov 16, 2022
@oneweirdoatatime Expired, or past their Best Before date are some of the worst. I've joked that some people say, 'Here, YOU throw this away!' Thanks for sharing these tips. I'll give you a boost...
Show threadJohn LuskNov 15, 2022

@jondrowe

Not just food. Unsexy things like toilet paper (etc.), in the quantities they need.

Show threadJonathan RoweNov 16, 2022
@tarheel 100%. I've told people that if they're going to give STUFF, give things like personal care items. Our dog/cat food. Food Banks usually have budgets for staples, but when we can give away those kinds of 'extras', it's an awesome thing. Sometimes we have them, and sometimes we don't, but they're ALWAYS appreciated. I once had a woman near tears because we had hair dye to give away. That was such a luxury for her that she couldn't believe her luck!
Show threadRogerNov 15, 2022

@jondrowe And please don't forget to mention why we need food banks -

The torys.

(I refuse to give them the dignity of a capital letter or a proper plural)

Show threadJonathan RoweNov 16, 2022
@Roger120 I can get behind that. In the #Church circles I run in, we call it 'responding to human need by acts of loving service' (feeding the hungry), but ALSO 'seeking to transform unjust structures of society' (asking the harder questions of WHY they're hungry).
#MarksOfMission
Show threadKarin!Nov 17, 2022
@jondrowe to add an idea: I have started asking for food bank (and select other charity) monetary donations in lieu of gifts every year. Not everyone loves the idea but I get more uptake every year I do it, and others have joined in too
Show threadJonathan RoweNov 18, 2022
@nirak This is awesome. Thanks for making such selfless requests!
Show threadKarin!Nov 19, 2022
@jondrowe it's not actually that selfless tbh. I'm lucky enough to have what I need and don't want more stuff in my house. It's also nice to recenter the holidays on family and not presents :D
Show threadJenniNov 19, 2022
@jondrowe not only that for a buck they can get like ten pounds of food. you can get a can at these prices.
Show threadWhite Smoke BBQ Nov 19, 2022
@jondrowe We couldn't agree more. Great toot!
Show threadStatsJewNov 19, 2022
Give money or toiletries to big food banks and groups that buy in bulk. But if you are clearing out your pantry and you have something that is not so old that you wouldn't eat it, consider finding a local little free pantry or blessing box. I run one and we don't have the volume that a cash donation would go that much farther than just taking the food. #charity #giving
Show threadSpliceFixer   Nov 19, 2022

@jondrowe It also allows them to give money out for emergency items like prescription medication. It’s never just food. We need so many other things to survive.

#FoodInsecurity #charity #GiveMoney

Show threadEnrico GruenNov 20, 2022
@jondrowe I used to volunteer at a food bank and I can corroborate this. Food banks need cash with which to purchase perishables and to fill gaps in donated pantry staples. Please, send a few dollars their way when you can. #FoodBank #donation
Show threadHeather GardinerNov 20, 2022
@jondrowe thanks for this reminder - boosted and just donated $$ to my local food bank.
Show threadAutistic AntitheistNov 20, 2022
@jondrowe, yes! My niece runs our small town food bank, and you speak PUREST TRUTH! A lot of stores will give discounts to people who are buying bulk for a food bank, especially if they're registered as the buyer for said food bank and the bank is a registered charity.
Show threadnoozooNov 20, 2022
@jondrowe In my city (Ottawa) they can buy $5 worth of food (and exactly what they need) for every $1 you give them. And my company will match that, so it makes it 10x.
Show threadSuzanne StephensNov 20, 2022
@jondrowe There are other ways you can help too. For example, my dad, was an electrical engineer who got his state electricians license after he retired. In addition to helping build 60+ houses for Habitat for Humanity, he took it upon himself to wire and help maintain the wall of freezers at his local food bank. The angels got a good one when he passed over!
Show threadErissa DuvallNov 20, 2022
@jondrowe This is a great suggestion. Plus people have a bad tendency to donate tons of canned goods that they can't really give to people that would allow the recipients to make good meals. Or they'll get stuff that is damaged and thus potentially unsafe. Giving them money allows them to get a good variety of stuff so they can give people stuff they can really use to make a meal.
Show threadJaddyNov 20, 2022

Siehe 👆

Wie ist denn das in Deutschland, zB bei #tafeldeutschland @jochenbruehl ?

Lieber Geld oder lieber Sachspenden?

Show threadWhat you permit you promoteNov 20, 2022
@jondrowe
Show threadCrystal Resists in ColoradoNov 20, 2022
@jondrowe
Thank you for this idea. I will probably start donating money now, but will still donate food as well.
Show threadJonathan RoweNov 20, 2022

@crystalresists That's awesome! Thanks for helping wherever you can. If you're going to donate money anyway, and your local food bank is getting the staples they need, you might also ask what are the 'extra' things that are appreciated but not budgeted for.

For instance, our food bank loves to be able to give out pet food or personal care items, but we can only give things like that away when people donate them. Just ask, and you might be surprised to find out some of the things that make a BIG difference that you wouldn't necessarily think of. ❤️

Show threadamyminamotoNov 21, 2022
@jondrowe There was an "Adam Ruins Everything" episode on this topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbYInILDj6Q
Adam Ruins Everything - Why You Shouldn't Donate Canned Food to Charities

YouTube
Show threadRMulgrueNov 21, 2022
@jondrowe Thank you for this - this had literally never occurred to me.
Show threadBonnie SchwertnerNov 21, 2022
@jondrowe I couldn’t agree more.
Show threadgrenra_solariumNov 21, 2022
@jondrowe This makes a lot of sense
Show threadRayah MartinNov 21, 2022
@jondrowe
Show threadRyan HydeNov 22, 2022

@jondrowe And I just want to point out that this is true of basically every single nonprofit that accepts in-kind donations. Just give them money! They know exactly what they need - you don't! If you love your local animal shelter, just give them money! If you want to support your local family services #nonprofit, just give them money!

The best way to give, *every single time*, is financially.

Show threadJonathan RoweNov 23, 2022
@RyanHyde There's also a case to be made for 'conspicuous giving'. Not the BEST analogy, but every time I donate blood, I pay selfies to encourage others to do the same. Sometimes it's more effective to show people a big pile of food that's being collected than dollar amounts. But most of the time, the advantages of giving money make it a no-brainer.
Show threadJim DuncanNov 22, 2022
@jondrowe this is why I give to the local food bank throughout the year … people need food at times other than the holidays.
Show threadJonathan RoweNov 23, 2022
@Jimduncan Yup. It's easy to give when everyone else is already on the bandwagon. It takes dedication to make it a habit. Thanks!
Show threadIt's Just Jenn 🏳️‍⚧️Nov 22, 2022

@jondrowe THIS! Charities need money, not the canned corn you didn't want!

Also, save your receipts. You can deduct that shit from your taxes. I learned this when doing my first REAL grownup tax filing this year. 😂

Show threadBathsheba BlueNov 22, 2022

@jondrowe
Agree 1000%
Cash translates to about 20 times the purchasing power so your gift goes so much further.

People like the warm feeling they get from the kinetic energy they expend, but if you’re actually interested in doing the most good , cash is king.

Show threadJonathan RoweNov 23, 2022
@inklings We had a similar conversation here about donations to help after #HurricaneFiona struck the west coast of Newfoundland. Lots of people wanted to give furniture, sheets, and all kinds of things to people who'd lost their homes, but the reality was that by the time goods were collected and transported, the need had already been met. Money travels almost instantly these days, never goes bad, and can be saved to get better leverage when it's more needed.
Show threadBathsheba BlueNov 23, 2022

@jondrowe

Yep. I have a friend who managed a food pantry until recently - she could buy so much more food at the food bank than if I got it at the grocery store. Every dollar I gave was multiplied many times over.

And who knows what they actually need most? They do.

So empower them to best meet their needs.

Show threadNoted Tea EnthusiastNov 22, 2022
@jondrowe
The buying multiplier can be on the order of $9/1 or even $12/1, with the relationships established food banks have built up. So, yes, give money!
Show threadForestsNotFarmsNov 22, 2022
@jondrowe Always ask, I dropped off some Halloween candy and asked what they might need and the instant response was "butter!’’. So I brought them butter.
Show threadGrannie AnnieNov 23, 2022
@jondrowe but if you only have the money for a tin of peas why not? At the very least you are making the Foodbank visible.
Show threadJonathan RoweNov 23, 2022
@Blunsden I agree. There's a lot to be said for the example that we set by 'conspicuous giving'. When anyone sets a better example by simply donating a can of peas, they should do that instead.
Show threadBattlecarNov 23, 2022

@jondrowe I do the same for our local toy drives for kids who'd otherwise have nothing under the tree Christmas morning. Feels good to pick a toy and hand it over, but my cash can have more buying power and be more effective.

There's a shortage of mountain bikes this year? Not on my money's watch!

Show threadJonathan RoweNov 23, 2022
@battlecar That's awesome. Money instead of stuff is a good way to focus our charity on the actual need, not our own selfish desire to play the role of 'Reformed Ebenezer Scrooge'.
Show threadG Dan MitchellNov 23, 2022
@jondrowe In some cases, it is worth giving your time, too. Food banks, at least, rely on volunteers to fill up and deliver those boxes of food.
Show threadMIBantaNov 23, 2022
@jondrowe While I agree with this, I do find some usefulness in the "advent" idea for children as a teaching tool.
Show threadAoifeNov 23, 2022
@jondrowe was both a food bank recipient and worked briefly within the system. Can confirm.
Show threadTerry CarterNov 25, 2022
@jondrowe And here's a top-rated food bank that supplies food banks. https://www.feedingamerica.org
U.S. Hunger Relief Organization | Feeding America

Feeding America is a nonprofit network of 200 food banks leading the fight against hunger in the United States. Learn how you can help end hunger in America.

Feeding America
Show threadGuyton FoxcroftNov 25, 2022
@jondrowe Even better, see what the local Food Not Bombs or other mutual aid group needs
Show threadMrs_MoonsNov 26, 2022
@jondrowe same with any charity donation. It might make you feel cute to give toiletries to a hospice for example, but people have allergies, or sensitivities and the hospice relies on community support to give care, so actually cash is better!!
Show threadExpendableMudgeNov 26, 2022
@jondrowe OR follow that food bank's posted or published list of items they need the most. But money's always the right size and the correct color.
Show threadAntigoni Pantelis-ArgyropoulosNov 27, 2022
@jondrowe If you can’t afford to give from the wallet, always ask if they could use extra hands (usually in the off season- they’re bombarded with volunteers during the holidays)
Show thread@Lee_in_IowaNov 27, 2022
@jondrowe Repeating this: Give money to food banks, don’t buy things to give and for goodness’ sake, don’t clean out your cupboards and donate old stuff 🥲😔.
Food banks know what they need most and get better deals buying in bulk.
Donate. Money.
Show threadAnn SuttonNov 28, 2022

@jondrowe Never heard of a reverse advent calendar.

I have monthly donations all year to various charities, including the local food bank. I only give "more" at Christmas for Adopt-A-Family/kids' wishlist things, not normal stuff.

My food bank says "$10 buys 30 meals". I can't do that at the grocery store. 🙂